The Opelousas courier., 1887-07-02

THEORY ADVANCED THAT THE TEXAS TRAIN
ROBBERS ARE LED BY BoA~so AND sONIER.
n. o. Times-Democrat, June 20.


N. o. Times Democrat, June 20.
The State of Texas and for that matter the
entire Union, is at present agltated over the
repeated train robberies which have become
so frequent in the Lone Star State of late.
Who are the guilty parties, is the question
which is at present bothering the peace of
fcers, and bloodhounds have been pressed
into service to assist the officers in tracking
the bandits to their haunts. From the report
and descriptions of the robbers it is thought
by many that all the robberies have been com
mitted by the same gang whe, made bold by
their success, do not hesitate at anything in
the way of holding up "A train and going
through the passengers.
The robbery committed on Saturday morn
ing ON the Southern Pacific road at point be-
tween Flatonia and. Schulenberg, Ill miles
west of Houston, was evidently the work of
experienced hands, who have before engaged
in this seemingly dangerous manner of max
ing haul The passengers on this occasion
got good 'uOk at the robbers, and they all
agree in describing the captain as a tall hand
somely built mana description which IS said
to admirably suit ex-Chief of Detectives, t. j.
Boasso, who escaped from the Penitentiary
some months ago with SOnier, notorious muir
derer of South Louisiana. 1t will be remem-
bered that after the escape of these two men
the first ira in robbery of the season, if 1T may
be so called, was committed in Texas. AT
that time it was said that BOassO had escaped
to Honduras bat be that as it may, there
were a number OF people here who did not hes
itate to advance the theory that Boasso and
Sonier, or one of them might have been impli-
Gated in the crime. One fact is we'll known,
aud that is that Sonier has not been seen in
his old haunts since his escape, and it is also
we'll known that Boasso has not been seen
heard of in the vicinity of New Orleans since
he was sent to the Penitentary. Sonier did
not desert his old home for fear of arrest, as
l.. Srp ftlty that there W hIf fa W Of-
fcers in the State who would, under ordinary
circumstances, attempt his capture; hence it
is probable, so states an old detective, that he
went to Texas, where wider field was open
ed to him, and where he could crafty his de-
sire for excitement and gain aud find numer
GUS confederates iu the many fugitives from
justice who seek safe harbOr on the plains
of tue Lone Star State. If S0nier is in Texas
it is more than likely that Boasso is with him.
Ii he was in Honduras he certainly tired of
that country loug before this, and no doubt
Joined his old prison friend Boasso's nick
name was Dick, and the captain of the band
of robbers was addressed by his comrades by
that name Then his figure also tallies exact
ly with that of the now notorious Capt. Dick,
and strengthens the suspicious that Boasso
and the captain of the baudits are one and the
same man.
s'This theory finds many supporters here,
and it was freely stated yesterday that the in-
dicatious pointed to Boasso and Sonier as the
train ruhbers. Of course this is question
which time alone eau solve, but if it should
turn out to be, fact all the old detectives will
say, i told you so''
Tho above article was put in type for our
last issue, but was crowded out. As we 90 to
press the following letter, from reliable gen
tlelnau was handed US, which confirms US in
tue belief that Sonner was in no manner i'm
piicated in the recent train robberies in Texas
OAKLIN SPRING, Calcasieu, La,
June %, 1887.
EDITORS CoURIBR.-An article in the N. O.
Times Democrat of the Goth inst, duplicates
through mere suspicion I. j. Boasso and John
Sonnier, who it will be remembered. escaped
from the State Penitentiary some time ago,
as the perpetrators of the late train robberies
in Texas.
Now Messrs Editors. as for Boasso do not
know him, nor his whereabouts, but Sonnier
is here in the neighborhood, and has been,
since soon after his escape, to which fact, the
inhabitants for miles around will testify.
Besides it is not reasonable to suppose that
he, who is endeavoring to obtain his freedom
from the State, by numerous petitions being
circulated here in Caleasieu and in st. Landry
= and with good effect should thus demean him
self, and yet expect to reach his goal. No
S0nnier will hurt nor trouble no one il lett
alone have this from his own mouth He
is a consumptive, having is right lung gone
and cannot live long this information L gel
FROM several phySlciahs WHO nave examined
him. He is cognizant of this fact, aud is the
more anxious to obtain his pardon, in orde
that he may atone for his sins in peace during
his short remaining life-though claiming a
the same time not to be as bad as many hav'
, supposed aud that many have done worse
and not suffered one-tenth what he alread,
has.
Sonnier has three petitions being circulated
in St. Landry aud three also in Caleasien TO
his pardon, all numcrously signed, and OF
which figaro the names of the very best citi
zens.
Not To heap injustice on one already 81
heavily burtlened, Messrs. Editors, trust yo'
will make known this error to the public b.
inserting few lines in your valuable journa
l. recitine the above facts.
: The crops il this section are hne. t'ishin
iu tue Darboune at present is splendid. Ez
y teptling to you n kind welcome here at a.
3 times, am as ever your old friend, j. c.
Rro Puuh of tho AssutnDtiou Pineer need